© Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

What’s Next For The Hayemaker?

After a crushing win over his nearest rival in the cruiserweight division, Enzo Maccarinelli, David “The Hayemaker” Haye has two options. He can either stay at cruiserweight, weight drained and in the shadow of boxing’s ultimate division, or he can move up to the prestigious heavyweight division and take on the champions in a similar fashion to what Evander Holyfield did.

Haye now has three of the four main cruiserweight belts after having beaten recognized divisional champion Jean Marc Mormeck and Enzo Maccarinelli, the most dangerous and powerful opponents the weight class has to offer. And he’s beaten both by knockout. So what should Haye do?

If he were to continue to fight at cruiser, quality opponents would be few, such as former world champ OʼNeil Bell, current IBF titlist Steve Cunningham and Maccarinelli making a very short list.

Haye would likely demolish the aging Bell and Cunningham, having only 11 knockouts in a 22 fight career, would be too green and not powerful enough to offer Haye a real challenge.

Maccarinelli is the only man who could possibly beat Haye in the division, despite being knocked out in two rounds, but fighting Enzo again would be far too great a risk

If Haye did jump to heavyweight, he’d have his work cut out for him. The recognized champion, Wladimir Klitschko, recently de-fragmented the belts to an extent and is the IBF and WBO Champion. Klitschko is a powerful fighter with fantastic technique, however, with his glass chin and suspect stamina, seems similar to the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz.

Klitschko has the talent, but may be too afraid of leaving his chin open to fully utilize his skills. He has been exposed already, but is still probably the best in the division.

Next up is the “Nigerian Nightmare”, WBC Champ Samuel Peter. Peter exposed Klitschko’s chin in their fight in 2005, knocking “Dr. Steelhammer” down three times, however has shown he can be soundly outfoxed as Wladimir still won by unanimous decision. Peter may not have the best chin himself as he was floored three times by Jameel McCline last year before eking out a victory.

Many people would take great exception to the claim that Haye is heavyweight champion material, having only fought at the weight once and so has yet to prove himself. However, it is my opinion that only good things can happen for David if he moves up.

The real danger for a heavyweight Haye is WBA Champ Ruslan Chagaev, the man who defeated the giant, Nicolai Valuev. Despite looking unimpressive in his last voluntary title defense against Englandʼs Matt Skelton, Chageav is no doubt the most skillful and technically astute fighter in the division.

Called “White Tyson” due to the man he modeled his style on, in reality Chagaev is not half as scary as the real “Iron Mike” but would still give Haye the toughest fight at heavyweight in my opinion.

As Chagaev has shown good defense and strength, “The Hayemaker” would have to outwork him to win, similar to the grinding fight Haye waged against Giacobbe Fragomeni in a 2006 European title defense, but this would be more difficult against the much larger Chagaev.

So what is next for David Haye? My guess would be a warm up fight against someone such as Hasim Rahman, who he had apparently agreed a fight before Haye decided to stay and unify the division. Perhaps that could be his most dangerous fight? You may laugh, but I’m sure Lennox Lewis did too.

Any questions on the article? Email jamesjdoakley@yahoo.co.uk

Click to read more boxing articles by James Oakley

Discuss in Boxing Forum | Send to a friend.

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Boxing Weigh-in: David Haye - Lasse Johansen

  Click for larger image © Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing >
  
  

• Frank Maloney Praises New World Champion David Haye

  British boxing has moved to the forefront of the world stage this past Saturday, when David Haye sensationally knocked out WBC/WBA Cruiserweight Jean-Marc Mormeck in the Frenchman's back yard of >
  
  

• Boxing Info: David Haye - Lasse Johansen

  Unbeaten Cruiserweight Lasse Johansen made it clear today that he is not coming to England for a holiday or a quick pay day against David Haye.   The thirty-year old Dane has >
  
  

• Boxing Info: Team Haye Clarify Maccarinelli Situation

  With regards to the British super fight between David Haye and Enzo Maccarinelli, Team Haye would like to confirm that at no time did they made any extra demands or >
  
  

• Haye Returns This Month.

  It is incredible to think that a twelve-fight novice should have to negotiate his way through a comeback period at this stage of his career, but this is the scenario >
  
  

• Haye Destroys Delaney.

  British cruiserweight prospect David Haye dismantled veteran UK fight scene campaigner Garry Delaney last night in a match that was made in the heavyweight division. Haye's performance was steady and >
  
  

• Haye Bombs Out Gurov And Takes European Title

  It's always been clear that London area cruiserweight David Haye has had bags of potential but in his big step up fight over a year ago, the hammer fisted power >
  
  

• Ringside Boxing Report: David Haye - Alexander Gurov

  Click for larger image © Simon Shaw / Saddoboxing.com The main event of the night on Fight Academy's >
  
  

• European Boxing Champion David Haye Plans The Italian Job

  In the same way that Julius Caesar came and conquered from the Mediterranean centuries ago, this week sees an Italian invasion taking place in London. Giacobbe Fragomeni and his Italian >
  
  

• British Boxing: European Champion David Haye Announces Next Opponent

  "Hayemaker" Will Step Up To Heavyweight! Reigning European Cruiserweight Champion David Haye has announced that he will jump up to heavyweight for his next bout, scheduled to take place on >
  
  

---